Effect of foliar application of nano urea on growth, yield and economics of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in coastal Odisha

Abstract

Nano fertilizers play a major role in sustainable agricultural production offering multifaceted benefits for crop cultivation while mitigating the adverse effects of excessive fertilizer usage on the ecosystem. A field experiment was conducted during summer, 2023 at the AICRP on sunflower, Odisha University Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar to study the “effect of Foliar application of nano urea on growth, yield and economics of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) in coastal Odisha”. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with a total of ten treatments replicated thrice. The treatments are: 50%RDN through urea + nano urea 2mlL-1 at 45DAS, 50%RDN through urea + nano urea 3mlL-1 at 45 DAS, 50%RDN through urea + nano urea 4mlL-1 at 45DAS, 50%RDN through urea + urea spray 2% at 45DAS, 75% RDN through urea + nano urea 2mlL-1 at 45DAS, 75% RDN through urea + nano urea 3ml/L at 45DAS, 75% RDN through urea + nano urea 4mlL-1 at 45DAS, 75% RDN through urea + urea spray 2% at 45 DAS, RDN through urea (60Kgha-1), nano urea@2mlL-1 at 15,30 and 45 DAS. The results revealed that among all the treatments, RDN through urea(60kgha-1) recorded maximum seed yield (1713 kgha-1) and oil yield (670 kgha-1) which was followed by 75% RDN through urea + nano urea 4mlL-1 at 45DAS (seed yield of 1503 kgha-1 and oil yield of 572 kgha-1). The highest yield attributing characters i,e. head diameter (15.3 cm), 100 seed weight (5.7 g) were recorded in RDN through nano urea (60 kgha-1). As compared to other treatments, RDN through urea 60 kgha-1 recorded highest net return (Rs. 50350 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.77). From the study, it was concluded that conventional use of nitrogen fertilizer with urea 60 kgha-1 can be practiced in sunflower. However, during scarce supply of urea, 75% RDN through urea in conjunction with 4mlL-1 nano urea spraying at 45DAS can be practiced with higher productivity and profitability in sunflower.